Mary Allen
Introduction: Selective Hearing in Puppies
As adorable as puppies can be, those who have owned one know that they can be quite a handful at times. Puppies are known for their boundless energy, love of play, and playful nature. However, they are also known for their selective hearing. This is the tendency of some puppies to ignore their owners’ commands or to hear only what they want to hear. It can be frustrating for new puppy owners who are trying to establish a bond with their new pet.
How Puppies Hear: Understanding Their Ears
Puppies hear differently than humans do. They have a much wider range of hearing, which means they can hear sounds at a much higher frequency than we can. This is why they are able to hear sounds that we cannot, such as the high-pitched whine of a dog whistle. Puppies also have the ability to move their ears independently, which helps them to locate the source of a sound. However, puppies’ ears are also more sensitive than human ears, which means that loud or sudden noises can startle them.
The Psychology of Puppies and Selective Hearing
Puppies are not deliberately ignoring their owners when they exhibit selective hearing. Rather, they are simply distracted by all of the new sights, sounds, and smells around them. Additionally, puppies have short attention spans, which means that they can quickly lose interest in what they are doing and become easily distracted. This is why it is important to keep training sessions short and engaging. When puppies are bored or overwhelmed, they are more likely to tune out their owners and focus on something else.